Gary Neville praises Anthony Martial's EPL start as he looks to equal Manchester United record

Anthony Martial has now scored 3 goals in 3 appearances for Manchester United

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has admitted French teenager Anthony Martial has impressed in the past few games, according to Sky Sports. Martial bagged a brace on his first Premier League start for United and Neville has praised him for his fine composure in front of goal.

When Anthony Martial made the switch to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day, many questions were being asked of United’s decision to pay a price of £36 million United paid for an unproven teenager. No doubt the former AS Monaco player had a modest strike-rate in Ligue 1 and has been dubbed to be the next “Thierry Henry”, but Gary Neville and former Arsenal striker Henry raised some doubts over the signing and admitted the Red Devils has taken a massive gamble on the young starlet.

So far, Martial has been proving the doubters wrong having scored three goals in three appearances for Manchester United including two against Southampton on Sunday. Despite the huge pressure on the Frenchman’s shoulders, Neville has admitted that the 19-year-old has already ‘made a big impression’.

“I wouldn't have imagined he would have the composure he's had,” Neville said. “If you look at his goalscoring record before he came to Manchester United – I think it was 15 goals in 70 games – it doesn't suggest he's got that level of composure.”

“There was a huge pressure put on him and he'll be aware of that, the expectation and the price tag. He came into a game against Liverpool for 20 minutes and took the chance in the way in which he did.”

“Today was his first moment around the box (speaking about the first goal). To be redundant in the game for 30 minutes and then show that composure and class at that moment says a lot about him.”

Gary Neville has been impressed with Anthony Martial’s pace

Martial has added pace to United’s attack: Neville

Neville also admired Martial’s tendency to take risks in the final third – something which United has been lacking for the last 12 months.

“It's a brilliant start. It's too early to say 'he's some player and he's going to be a great player' and all those things because anything can happen, but it's certainly the best possible start he could have had. He's made a big impression on all of us.”

“The big criticism of United over this last 12 months has been playing in front of teams and playing safe. He, I think, quickens the game up.

“He takes a risk, he's on the shoulder and he threatens in behind. He also looks really strong as well. That wasn't something I recognized about him watching him for Monaco last season.”

Martial set to equal Manchester United record?

With Manchester United playing Sunderland in their next league encounter, the 19-year-old striker could equal a 43-year-old United record set by Ian Storey-Moore, according to Manchester Evening News. Storey-Moore was the last United player to score in his first three league matches for the club.

Martial opened his account in grand style against Liverpool in the derby before his brace against Southampton. Will he break the record?